Chapter 7 (Part 2)

As he hurriedly turned and entered the kitchen,

Thud, someone bumped into his shoulder, and Edan reflexively flinched. The water in the bucket spilled, soaking his thigh.

“Damn it, dirty from the morning.”

“I, I’m sorry.”

Edan reflexively bowed. It was Schultz, the head of the collateral family who had arrived yesterday.

Schultz, who had glared at him, soon recognized the man. 

The gigolo serving Edarson’s wife.

His glaring dark green eyes scanned Edan’s build.

The broad shoulders that waited obediently for disposal were the same shoulders that had carried Ellenia down the corridor yesterday. He was tall, and his thick chest seemed to lack any fat. And the outline visible through the wet trousers from their collision…….

‘A lowly bastard.’

Moreover, the strong jawline, beautiful lips, and slender nose. His sculpted face made him look as dignified as the family members of the founding family’s lords.

He was said to be a servant in Edarson’s army, but could he be hiding his status?

Schultz scrutinized his face, trying to find something to pick on, and met his honey-colored eyelashes and downcast deep green eyes.

The seemingly docile eyes felt intense, and Schultz unconsciously swallowed dryly.

“Tsk, young brat.”

Unable to find a reason to pick a fight, he muttered something useless and hurried his steps. That brat had eyes just like Edarson.

Confirming Schultz had left for the yard, Edan quickly moved. It was time for the Madam to wake up.

“So lively from the morning.”

“Indeed, Tarnu is Tarnu.”

The guests, who had drunk plenty of Tarnu’s precious wine after Ellenia left the banquet hall yesterday, looked quite satisfied. Seeing Schultz bustling around Tarnu’s yard like his own, Schultz’s aunt, cousin, younger brother, and other collateral relatives also came out to meddle in the castle’s affairs.

The leaves were too piled up, the cart was in a strange place, the water-drawing pulley was too old, the number of servants was insufficient…

Their words clearly showed they expected Opellus to inherit Tarnu soon, making the yard’s servants uncomfortable.

Ignoring his chattering relatives, Schultz leisurely walked towards the stables where the old men were gathered.

“Hey, you.”

“…Y-yes.”

Schultz spoke to the shaggy-haired man standing on the outermost side. He jumped and bowed repeatedly as if he was honored.

The old men clicked their tongues, seeing the young man’s lack of courage.

“The bishop said there’s a survivor in the village below the castle.”

“Yes, Thomas. You mean Thomas, right?”

The mention of the bishop seemed to upset the old men again, and they shook their heads and left. The shaggy-haired man bowed repeatedly to Schultz.

“Well, I don’t know his name. The bishop suggested introducing him to the Madam before we hold the funeral for my brother.”

“Th-Thomas, to the Madam?”

“Yes, the bishop said so. He’s the last person to see my brother.”

“If he saw the last moment, then he too…….”

Schultz smiled slyly as the shaggy-haired man referred to the one he was targeting.

“Is that really so?”

“Pardon?”

“Was he really in my brother’s army?”

Laughing, Schultz put his arm around the shaggy-haired man’s shoulder. The man, not understanding what Schultz meant, just hunched his shoulders.

***

Schultz was able to meet Ellenia again that afternoon. For some secretive reason, she had been hiding in her room since the banquet last night and finally came out long after lunch.

He had been waiting in front of the study, knowing she would work there in the afternoon, and finally saw her walking down the stairs after a long while.

The drizzle that had been falling since morning had subsided, and as she appeared in the faint sunlight streaming through the window, her face looked almost divinely pale.

Schultz unconsciously swallowed dryly.

“Oh, Madam. I’ve been waiting for a long time.”

He walked towards the stairs with a friendly tone. Her expression hardened as soon as she saw him, looking even more displeased in the slanting sunlight.

‘Do I look like I’m going to eat you or something, damn it.’

Schultz muttered to himself, forcing a smile as he approached Ellenia.

That gigolo-like guy was standing behind her, his eyes gleaming.

Whether he was her lover or a guard, there was nothing he could do here. Schultz had blood ties with the lord.

Schultz pulled Ellenia slightly away from Edan by tugging her shoulder.

“What are you doing?”

“I don’t think this is something a servant should hear.”

“…”

Ellenia’s frown deepened. He wasn’t just a servant…

Glancing sideways, she saw Edan looking quite displeased, but it was clear he was holding back because he knew it wasn’t his place to intervene.

Schultz, Schultz. Since last year, her grandfather’s letters often mentioned treating the collateral family well. It seemed her grandfather and Opellus had some scheme…

The most recent letter had been discarded by Edan without her seeing it, so Ellenia couldn’t guess their intentions.

On the other hand, Edan, who had read the letter, could only glare at Schultz’s back in anxiety.

「Wouldn’t it be better to bear the seed of some collateral relative? That would give you a reason to stay in Tarnu.」

If Ellenia wanted to remarry, he couldn’t stop her, but not like this… Edan gritted his teeth.

Ellenia muttered, looking behind her.

“Could you light a fire in the study?”

“Madam.”

“It’s quite damp today, and I feel very unwell.”

Though she was speaking to Edan, her gaze was fixed on Schultz’s arm around her shoulder.

This proud Madam. She didn’t want to show her distress caused by the collateral family to him.

Even though she had vomited, cried, and collapsed in front of him.

Feeling stifled, Edan nodded and headed to the study. It was only a few steps away, so there shouldn’t be any trouble. He didn’t forget to brush Schultz’s shoulder as he passed.

Schultz didn’t mind the unpleasantness; he was pleased to be left alone with her.

“I’ve been waiting for you to show me around the castle, Madam, but you seem to rarely go outside.”

“The butler knows the castle better than I do. Guiding guests is also his responsibility.”

“I was wondering how the castle looks from the owner’s perspective.”

Speaking softly, Schultz leaned slightly towards Ellenia. His downward gaze felt somewhat sinister. Ellenia stopped and looked at him with displ*asure.

“You will never know how Tarnu looks from the owner’s perspective.”

Saying that, Ellenia tried to step back, but his thick hand on her shoulder didn’t let go easily.

A shallow anger surged in her blue eyes.

So, her grandfather had plotted with the collateral family to give Tarnu to them using her as a pawn. Ellenia’s fingers trembled.

Seeing her pale face, Schultz realized she had grasped the situation and smiled unpleasantly.

“Well. I think it’s a matter of time.”

With that sinister voice, he pulled her waist close to his body. The implication of his pelvis touching hers was clear.

“What is this…!”

“No wonder my brother kept the castle so tightly closed.”

Before he knew it, Schultz’s hand was grasping Ellenia’s chin. Like appraising her, he moved his hand around, examining her face from various angles. Ellenia’s face showed astonishment and humiliation.

“With such a pretty Madam, it’s no wonder he wanted to keep you. And by keeping you, you’ve become a wilting flower.”

At his nonsensical words, Ellenia looked at Schultz’s face as if to see how far he would go.

“So, you brought a lowly one into your bed.”

Slap.

Ellenia’s hand flew through the air. It wasn’t a particularly fierce slap, but it was enough to surprise Schultz.

“How dare you be so rude.”

“Did you just hit me?”

Schultz glared at Ellenia with a mocking expression.

It was both unpleasant and humiliating… 

Why now, Grandfather?

Unable to express her indignation, Ellenia pushed Schultz’s chest and headed toward the study. Even with that ripple-like movement, Schultz easily gave way. It was like the tolerance of a predator watching a herbivore’s futile struggle.

Knowing this herself, Ellenia, heading to the study, only hoped Edan’s arms would quickly soothe her misery.

***

“Ah! Huh… Huh.”

Ellenia was shaking on the desk in the study. Her br*asts, exposed through the front of her dress, were also shaking.

“Faster, faster…”

Edan, holding her thighs, quickened his thrusts as ordered. The quill pen on the desk fell with the shaking of the desk.

Due to the hurried insertion, her insides were dry, causing her thin petals to stick whenever he pulled out. In and out, in and out, after several thrusts, her juices finally started to flow.

“Ha, huh…”

Ellenia moaned like she was crying, shaking under him. It seemed like she was both in pain and pl*asure.

Edan felt like he was going crazy. Not because he didn’t enjoy thrusting into her, but because her constant need for him was overwhelming.

Today, again. It was happening again.